"The Bug Is Boss"

Sixty-four influenza-stricken M.P.s (35 Laborites, 29 Tories) got out of bed one day last week, went to the House of Commons, cast their votes. When the sneezing died down, the government had defeated, by 300 votes to 289, another Conservative attempt to topple it. The issue: a Tory motion censuring the government for Britain's critical coal shortage.

Headlined London's Daily : THE BUG is BOSS. It said, "The influenza bug ... can unseat the government any day . . . Government by influenza is the latest phase of a year in which Mr. Attlee has hung on to power by six votes." A greater threat to the government than influenza is an increasing public swing to the right. The latest British Gallup poll showed last week that the government has the backing of only 38% of the electorate compared to 43% two months ago and 46% four months ago. Tory support has increased from 44% four months ago to 51%. One reason for the anti-Labor trend: enforced vegetarianism.

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